Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Notary Public do?
A Notary Public is an officer of the law, a status recognised internationally.
It is the oldest branch of the legal profession dating back to Roman times. Notaries are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties. A professional Notary Public must be fully insured and maintain fidelity cover for the protection of clients and the public.
Why do you need Notary Public services?
The services of a Notary Public are required because many countries see the Notary as being at the pinnacle of the independent legal professions.
Any document required for use oversees but signed for in this country normally needs to be done in the presence of a Notary Public. A Notary Public will also sign and validate the documents and finally, it will be sealed with a unique stamp.
Should the document need to be validated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) we will ensure this process is completed.
For most overseas documents it is not sufficient for a solicitor to authenticate the information.
When might you need a Notary Public?
- Buying and selling property abroad
- Investigating title to land in this country or abroad
- Affidavits and declarations
- Change of name by Deed Poll
- Winding up Estates and Estate Planning
How much do notarial services cost?
Fees are based on the time spent and the complexity involved in a particular matter.
Time will be required not only notarising the documents but may also include preliminary advice, research required to authenticate documents, contact with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and record keeping.
The fee is normally payable at the appointment and we accept payments by bank transfer, card, cheque and cash. Contact us and we can discuss this further.
What do you need to bring to a meeting?
- Proof of your identity, passport/driving licence
- Proof of your home address, utility bill
- Proof you are authorised to sign if acting on behalf of an organisation
- All papers and documentation relating to the matter to be discussed
- Translation of document if not written in English
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued (in the U.K.) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It confirms that a document was signed by the person whose signature is on the document. Often this is the signature of a notary, but the FCDO also has other signatures registered with it, such as those of some solicitors and officials such as Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages (if this was in the UK).
What is the difference between a solicitor and a Notary Public?
A UK Notary Public is usually someone that either is, or at some point in their career has been, a Solicitor. They are therefore legally trained. In addition to their legal training as Solicitors, Notaries are required to train and qualify by obtaining the necessary professional qualifications and then undergoing a period of supervision.
Notaries are trained in the process of authenticating documents in a manner required to ensure their acceptance overseas. A Solicitor is not specifically trained to authenticate documents in the same way as a Notary Public.
What does legalisation of a document mean?
Legalisation or authentication means confirmation of the authenticity of origin of a document by way of an Apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It is usually done by having an official stamp placed on the document by the FCDO after it has been notarised by the Notary Public.